Upon a recent search I found out that kryptonite, the fictional mineral from the Superman comic series, comes in many forms. Since I am not a comic book reader or an avid fan, I had no idea of this as I have only enjoyed watching the blockbuster movies with Christopher Reeves in the past and can remember only the green mineral version which weakens Superman’s power and Lex Luthor would try to use against him in order gain power over Superman. I am intrigued that there are various forms of kryptonite and their various effects can be quite different… (continue reading to see where this goes; it’s a little different than my normal posts)
Upon a recent search I found out that kryptonite, the fictional mineral from the Superman comic series, comes in many forms. Since I am not a comic book reader or an avid fan, I had no idea of this as I have only enjoyed watching the blockbuster movies with Christopher Reeves in the past and can remember only the green mineral version which weakens Superman’s power and Lex Luthor would try to use against him in order gain power over Superman. I am intrigued that there are various forms of kryptonite and their various effects can be quite different.
Another reference of kryptonite which I have used is that it is one’s Achilles’ heel, the one weakness of an otherwise invulnerable hero. In my own case, it is the one thing that even though I avoid it, it has been impossible when it is suddenly in my presence again and so I continue to succumb to the weakness from its power. I am aware of this kryptonite in my life and have even joked about it. Given some serious thought, I can see that since the fictional object comes in a variety of forms, it really can be likened to so many real things in our lives. The sad fact is that the only way to really not suffer the effects of the fictional kryptonite is to have complete avoidance. Depending on what one’s own kryptonite is, avoidance may be the only solution to not weaken your defenses.
In this analogy of myself and my weakness to Superman and his kryptonite, I find it disturbing that in order to stay in my power I should avoid my own version of kryptonite. I do not like this solution because it also deprives me of something I enjoy very much. So what do I do to overcome this? The answer is simple. Realize that since kryptonite is an inanimate object it technically cannot chase you, whereas a person can. By realizing this and that I am not like Superman and my reference of kryptonite is one of a live person, it is an inaccurate reference. Therefore I cannot be affected by kryptonite and should not let myself believe this. Also, naturally as a female, I have always considered myself to be more like Wonder Woman instead. :)
So, what is Wonder Woman’s weakness? When I researched and read the Wiki and other results on Wonder Woman I discovered that she has many of the strengths, talents, values, and history that I admire based on the mythological society of the Amazon women. In early stories, the only way that she is vulnerable is if she is willingly bound or chained by a male. This makes perfect sense – submission to a male has often been when I have shown weakness in myself. Allowing men to tie my hands in the past from doing what I truly desired to do is what weakened my spirit and my heart from its potential.
How does Wonder Woman escape this weakness? She falls in love with Major Steve Treavor. She saved him once when his plane crashed on her island of Themyscira or Paradise Island and she nursed him back to health. During this time Wonder Woman falls in love with Steve and throughout their history together she constantly has to save him as she fights her own battles. He seems to always come around thinking that he is rescuing her. She usually finds her own way out and ends up rescuing him whenever he gets caught up in the trouble she was originally in.
It appears that Wonder Woman has a different kind of weakness for Steve, one that captured her heart even though he doesn’t see it for himself. Yes, he cares for her and he is blind to not notice that she is also the woman that is beside him as Diana Prince. The fate of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor’s romance is rewritten several times throughout the DC Comic’s history including Steve being killed off and coming back life only to end up marrying Etta Candy, Diana Prince’s best girlfriend.
There are some that argue that Steve is not good enough for Wonder Woman and that they are unequally matched as it often is for comic superheroes’ love interests. From many points of view this is true. However, it is Wonder Woman that has these feelings for a mortal man, one she realizes does not possess her same powers, and she still accepts him anyway. Many mortal women and men do this every day in real life for someone they love.
I feel as though my weakness that I once considered as kryptonite is more accurately depicted as Major Steve Trevor. Where does that leave this Wonder Woman in this analogy of my life? Has my Steve Trevor been killed off from my script? Will he marry an Etta Candy? Will he come back as an older Steve, which then they become great friends? Who knows how it will end? My script has included many versions over the years of our comic life together. All I know is right now Steve does not appreciate Wonder Woman for who she really is and is a fool to let her get away as she goes on to find a new love interest, perhaps this time it is someone that has superhero powers that matches hers… someone more like Superman or maybe Batman.
Do you have a weakness in your superhero armor? Is is similar to mine or something completely different? Do you mind sharing it? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and what you have realized about yourself to overcome them. Please leave your comments below.
DAMN Steph that's deeply interesting, even more so because i feel as though im reading about myself.
and like wonder woman who has a secret identity i feel like that also, cant reveal the real me
Michelle, I suspect that many of us has something about themselves that they hide from others. None of us really like to expose our weaknesses, especially in the face of those we love if we are trying to show a strong image of ourselves. I think it is healthy if we can expose ourselves for who we really are and when we get acceptance from those who love us anyway, we know that we really are superheroes in the eyes of those who matter.I try not to hold back my feelings anymore. I did it for years and it did not get me anywhere I wanted to be. Now that I more freely express myself over a number of different matters I feel much stronger than I ever did holding it all inside trying to put up a strong front.